Emmanuel Ikpeama
Amuwo Odofin, Lagos—The Amuwo-Odofin Lawyers’ Forum on Saturday 10 October,2026 brought free legal services to the doorstep of residents, offering a community-wide legal clinic aimed at improving access to justice and resolving everyday legal challenges.
The outreach, held in collaboration with the Amuwo-Odofin Local Government, focused on the most pressing issues confronting residents — tenancy matters, property disputes, and matrimonial conflicts.
Chairman of the Forum,Mr. Chris Aghaonu, said the initiative is part of the Forum’s annual commitment to giving back to the community and ensuring that justice is not reserved only for the wealthy or the well-connected.
According to him, many disputes in the area degenerate into confrontation and self-help simply because residents lack basic knowledge of their legal rights.
“Knowledge is power, and information is key. We want residents to understand their rights and the proper legal steps to take when disputes arise, rather than resorting to self-help,” Aghaonu told journalists at the event.
Investigator news reports that a major highlight of the clinic was the sensitization on tenancy law and lawful eviction procedures.
Aghaonu stressed that landlords must follow due process when ejecting tenants, warning that forcible ejection, lock-outs, or seizure of property is illegal.
He urged landlords to always seek redress through the courts, noting that the law protects both landlords and tenants when properly applied.
He also advised tenants who have consented to court-approved Terms of Settlement to comply faithfully with the terms, stressing that respect for court orders is fundamental to peaceful co-existence
Beyond tenancy, the lawyers also attended to matrimonial disputes, including cases of domestic violence, where they provided confidential advice on legal remedies and protection available under the law.
The Forum clarified that the intervention primarily covers legal advice, enlightenment and mediation. Where full court representation becomes necessary, minimal professional and filing fees may apply.
Some of the beneficiaries who attended the program lauded the Forum for the timely intervention.
Speaking with newsmen,Mr. Anthony Nwachukwu, one of the residents who received free legal advice, said the clinic helped him understand the appropriate steps to pursue his complaints legally, without resorting to confrontation.
Another beneficiary, Mr. Wahab Ibrahim, expressed satisfaction with the process, saying the enlightenment he received has significantly shaped his understanding of his rights as a resident.
The Forum assured that the free legal clinic will be sustained as part of its efforts to deepen grassroots access to justice, promote rule of law, and foster a more peaceful and law-abiding community in Amuwo-Odofin.
